Fourteen apprentices join emh group

"We recognise that the workforce of tomorrow depends on us identifying and investing in talent today, and the academy is a key part of our commitment."

Chan Kataria, emh group Chief Executive

Coalville-based social housing and care provider emh group has welcomed the latest intake of fourteen new apprentices to its award-winning academy.

Aged between 16 and 32, the new recruits demonstrate that apprenticeships are not just an alternative to university for school leavers, but are also available for people looking to switch to a more fulfilling career.

Nine of the apprentices will be based in emh homes’ Property Services and Grounds Maintenance teams in Blaby, Coalville and Ilkeston, and carry out their academic studies at Derby College and Stephenson College in Coalville. Due to the level of on-the-job training the apprentices will receive, the planned two-year college course is being accelerated to finish in 18 months and will cover all the disciplines necessary to become a multi-skilled operative. The students will then have the opportunity to specialise in one of the skills, ranging from carpentry and plastering to plumbing and electrical work. The other five apprentices will be office-based, and cross a range of service areas from Human Resources and Learning & Development to Development and Housing.

The emh group academy was established in 2012 as a social enterprise to provide education, training, skills and future job opportunities for local young people. Since then it has won many awards, and emh group has twice been included in the City & Guilds’ Top 100 Apprentice employers list.

Chan Kataria, emh group Chief Executive, said: “To support our mission to improve opportunities for people, we aim to have delivered 250 apprenticeships and traineeships by 2023. We recognise that the workforce of tomorrow depends on us identifying and investing in talent today, and the academy is a key part of our commitment.”